What makes a travel blog successful?

[hortpark]

I run a travel blog which is not so much a one man show, but an online community which receives article contributions from travelers looking to share their experiences. Currently I have 6000 unique visitors per month and obviously looking to grow that. What I want to know is, what makes a travel blog successful and unique in a sea of travel blogs out there? (Ps, would The Culture Trip be considered a travel blog or a bonafide media company?)

Is it better to focus on a specific location/continent (Unfortunately or fortunately, I've already focused on one continent) or just cast a net covering every place?

I have yet to start monetizing the site, but will be looking into it soon enough. More than an affiliate program I'm looking more towards sponsored posts, but would like to know how that works. Do I approach the companies I think my audience will be interested in? And lastly, how does a blog go from blog to media company, with the expenditure to hire paid employees etc?

Would very much like to know the answers to these questions, thanks!

 

[hortpark]

Ps- I'm also looking to work with white label companies so if you know any good ones, do share!

 

[MOIC]

Personal experience as well as verified experiences from contributors.

Videos.

Given the different target markets, budgets, tastes etc etc you have to have your target market identified & covered.

Sometimes it's better to focus on a niche, rather than trying to be all things to all people.

Have a great Xmas.

 

[Ian J]

I like to see reviews of things to do and see in an area that I've never been to before plus restaurant reviews.

I know that you can get all of that in Trip Advisor but I prefer something a little more discerning where the top rated restaurants aren't curry houses or burger bars

 

[hortpark]

I like to see reviews of things to do and see in an area that I've never been to before plus restaurant reviews.

I know that you can get all of that in Trip Advisor but I prefer something a little more discerning where the top rated restaurants aren't curry houses or burger bars

If it's written in a second person narrative aka more editorial style, would that be somewhat less interesting? I understand blogs are supposed to be personal but in the long run I intend to evolve to be more than a blog and as mentioned, I have a few contributors writing for me.

 

[hortpark]

It really depends what how view success and what kind of travel writing you want to do. If you want to be like Matt, research search engine optimization (SEO), be regular in your blog posting, write articles that are interesting and engaging, and maintain a strong web presence by visiting other travel blogs.

Well my idea of success would be a site that gets a ton of page views and is one of the top go to places when people are looking for travel advice/inspiration etc for their destination and to know that people trust the content we put out.

 

[Zachary Todd]

I would say a single image can do the work of thousand words. So put lots of images from your journey, write about local cuisine, range of hotels, train and flight connectivity, local currency etc. These kind of information help reader to gain knowledge about respective location and most importantly write your personal experience that how did you feel by this journey.

 

[hortpark]

If I'm looking to work with white label companies, does it make sense to start out as a blog first and integrate them together?

 

[boring-friday]

No idea about how to make it unique, remember it doesn't really need to be though, you've got to 6k views a month without having a clue what you're doing I assume (no offense lol), start getting 60k or 600k with a decent way to monetize and suddenly you're making decent money.
Facebook isn't even unique, they just copied myspace/msn and somehow became 1 of the biggest companies in the world unless I missed something

I'd normally say focus on a niche but if you're getting offered a load of free content then I'd either just put it all up or make another site.

Don't really see the point in the extra effort of having to contact loads of people for sponsored posts, why not just use affiliates/adsense?

Media company just has blogs/websites that make money lol, you seem hung up on the 'blog' thing, a blog is just a website makes no difference.

1.Learn seo yourself(assuming thats where your viewers are coming from), just sorting out your website structure will probably get you to 10k+ uniques.
2.Keep pumping out your free content.
3.Add adsense/affiliates
4. Hire writer/seo guy when it will be cost effective (avoid most expensive guys)

Tip for getting free content for blogs: start adding blog comments on similar websites, watch your moz da score get to 30+ within a couple of months, add listing to fiver and other freelancer sites 'guest post on whitehat da 30 website with 50k uniques, only high quality content accepted, 5$'.
Laugh at mugs who have watched too many whiteboard Fridays

 

[toastking]

I have a friend who travels and his most successful content comes from

a) images of brilliant and varied places (so it could be Afghanistan one month then Morocco the next and then USA the next)
b) making stories happen - he is very outgoing and draws people and stories to him. He puts this down to being alone and so not being intimidating so people talk to him, not the other way round.

He has thousands of instagram followers and tends to focus on that these days I believe, but it was been just a part of larger travelling entrepreneur success, its more about becoming a niche celebrity than monetising the actual content directly for him.

 

[hortpark]

I have a friend who travels and his most successful content comes from

a) images of brilliant and varied places (so it could be Afghanistan one month then Morocco the next and then USA the next)
b) making stories happen - he is very outgoing and draws people and stories to him. He puts this down to being alone and so not being intimidating so people talk to him, not the other way round.

He has thousands of instagram followers and tends to focus on that these days I believe, but it was been just a part of larger travelling entrepreneur success, its more about becoming a niche celebrity than monetising the actual content directly for him.

I'm not looking to become a celebrity travel blogger, more like to grow the platform into something like Lonely Planet/Fodors etc, but I can understand why people feel a connection with those travel bloggers who travel the world.

 

[Julie M Davis]

In order to maintain and improve current viewer ship I think you have to dive into the realm of social media. Instagram is certainly one of the best that bloggers use for sharing images and then directing users to their website. In terms of gaining sponsored posts you could think about getting yourself on platforms such as Gorkana. Companies and PR agencies will then reach out to you for space on your blog.

 

[hortpark]

I'm looking to work with white label companies. If anyone knows or is currently working with one please send me an inbox. Thanks!

 

[Barnes Thomas]

I agree with Lily, social engagement is very essential for any blog. the post you write for your blog, must share on social platforms like Facebook, twitter etc.

Targeted traffic is the thing which you need to consider. If you want to make money with your blog, make sure your blog has good amount of traffic.

 

[fisicx]

I agree with Lily, social engagement is very essential for any blog.

Nope. The more you push the blog posts on SM sites the less engagement there is. Let your readers promote the blog for you. Do not push content onto people's feeds.

If you want to make money with your blog, make sure your blog has good amount of traffic.

He already gets 6000 per month.

 

[Barnes Thomas]

Hey Fisicx,

Please advise what you do if you are in his place

 

[fisicx]

Do what @Ian J, @boring-friday and @toastking suggested.

Great content will attract targeted traffic. They will then share with like minded people who will visit and share with a wider audience. They key is the content. Build up the images, videos and reviews and traffic will increase. And with increased traffic comes the money.

 

[Barnes Thomas]

Only unique content is enough to attract a wider audience? I am also a part blogger knows the importance of content and that is why I was saying sharing content is beneficial.

 

[Peter Durrant]

I would visit a blog site for 1st person, real experience.

I'm aware that 2nd person writing is available elsewhere, but I regularly read blog for PERSONALITY and more opinionated, anecdotal tales of a place.

For me, the experiences of a good writer are enough - just good quality, informal writing - that's what I would look for in a good travel blog.

 

[Deleted member 258632]

Hi!

I love to travel and still buy guide books - even in this world to blogs and technology!
Favorites of mine are 'little black book' range..if I am spending more than 3 days somewhere or the DK Top 10 guides if it is three days or less....the reason is the level of detail you sometimes have to wade through to get what you want on the internet and I know these books give me exactly what I need. Might be worth taking a look at what they have/include.

Suggestions for the site/blog..
Snap shot fact file /summary on each destination including ideas for 3hrs, 6hrs etc in the city, top 3-5 sights to see, local food, transport tips. I would like something to scan read in 2mins.

And then for each destination have a click through to view more detail for restaurants, attractions, local goods, transport, service etc.

How about (sorry ..ideas have started!) having a place where users can build their own itinerary of places they want to see (drag and drop, check list) that then builds a google map and route so that they can either print or use on a table/smart phone (cached so no data roaming!) when there...

Hope my waffle helps! And best of luck...

 

[Julie M Davis]

Utilising social media has to be considered. How else do you plan on reaching a wider audience? Once you build up said audience you can retreat slightly and allow the content to be shared naturally.

 

[HK Communications]

I run a lifestyle blog which features travel. I believe the key to it is honesty and integrity, as well as a detailed viewpoint. Too many travel guides out there look like glossy adverts for the destination. Write honest reviews about what was good, what wasn't, what to see and what to avoid. Also reviews of hotels in the area, getting sround etc all give people a rounded view.

 

[justinaldridge]

This is a seriously competitive niche and coming up with a new idea is tough. For just about every destination there is already a plethora or advice and information.

I have many websites in this industry mainly monetised through hotel, car hire, etc, type affiliate campaigns but unless you find a new angle it will be very tough.

There are opportunities though if you look at approaching stuff in a different way.

 

[Marek Skoczylas]

You wouldn't be successful without propper SEO strategy

 

[japancool]

The secret?

Make your readers feel like they're part of an exclusive club that knows things the average traveller doesn't know.

Don't review big swanky restaurants. Review the hole-in-the-wall places that serve super food. Review guest houses in villages inhabited by two men and a dog that has great scenery (the village, not the dog). The magic phrase that gets you into the local strip joint. That sort of thing.

That's why The Points Guy is successful, even though he regularly reviews first class air travel tickets that are way, way out of reach of the average European.

 

[Julie M Davis]

I think obscure holidays, or trails that people would never normal think of are good for engagement.